Damage reported across the Tulsa metro after early morning tornado

Damage near 41st and Yale after overnight storms. (Photo courtesy: David Lackey)

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) —

The City of Tulsa is assisting with disaster response after a tornado hit parts of the metro early Sunday morning.

According to a release from the city, the strong winds hit the areas from 41st and Yale to Mingo as well as parts of east Tulsa.

The National Weather Service has given the tornado a preliminary EF-2 rating. Several businesses along 41st between Yale and Sheridan sustained heavy damage, including Remington Tower where Sen. James Lankford holds a Tulsa office. Lankford says the office is closed for the time being but his team will work out of Oklahoma City.

"I'm grateful that it doesn't appear that last night's tornado in northeast Oklahoma caused any fatalities," Lankford said in a statement. "We pray for the many who are impacted, including those in the hospital and the many who still don't have power. My team has been monitoring the damage since late last night, and it's encouraging to see so many neighbors help each other and demonstrate what it means to be 'Oklahoma Strong.'"

Tulsa police are telling people to avoid the area. No businesses are open from 41st to 46th Street on Yale. There is no time frame yet for when that area will reopen to traffic.

At TGI Fridays, police say several people were trapped in the building as the storm passed but everyone got out OK.

According to EMSA, 13 people have been taken to the hospital for injuries. Eight were transported from TGI Friday's and four from Whataburger across the street. Other people with injuries arrived at emergency rooms on their own, but so far no serious injuries have been reported.